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'Sportswashing does work' - why regimes bankroll sport

The World Cup has been overshadowed by criticism of human rights abuses, leading to allegations of sportswashing, explains Conor McMorrow. But what is sportswashing, and does it even work?

Prime Time • 02 Dec 22

(L-R) Ehsan Hajsafi, Hossein Hosseini, Saeid Ezatolahi, Amir Abedzadeh and Morteza Pouraliganji sing the national anthem ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B match against Wales

Iran team sing national anthem at World Cup

Iran's team sang the national anthem before today's World Cup match against Wales, having opted not to do so in their tournament opener in Qatar.

World • 25 Nov 22

The armbands are intended to send a message of tolerance, connection and opposition to all forms of discrimination

'OneLove' armbands sell out after World Cup ban

The 'OneLove' armbands banned by FIFA at the World Cup in Qatar have sold out.

World • 23 Nov 22

Robert Pearce was heading the channel's World Cup coverage in Qatar

ITV Sport director dies while covering Qatar World Cup

A UK technical director at ITV Sport has died while heading the channel's World Cup coverage in Qatar, the channel has said.

World • 22 Nov 22

Qatar supporters look dejected after defeat to Ecuador in the opening game of the World Cup

Disappointment for hosts Qatar in World Cup opener

The football gods did not smile on the hosts Qatar as they slumped to an opening day defeat to Ecuador meaning their chances of emerging from Group A - a group that also includes The Netherlands and Senegal - are slim.

World • 21 Nov 22

The opening ceremony preceded the game between Qatar and Ecuador

Qatar's ruler calls for unity as World Cup kicks off

Qatar's ruler opened the World Cup with a call for people of all races and orientations to put aside their differences.

World • 20 Nov 22

The World Cup is due to kick off on Sunday

FIFA: Beer will not be sold at Qatar World Cup stadiums

The sale of alcohol to fans at World Cup stadiums in Qatar has been banned with just two days to go until the tournament kicks off, but those in hospitality boxes will be permitted to quaff beer at the venues.

World Cup 2022 • 18 Nov 22

At least 10,000 litres of water will be needed every day for each of the World Cup stadium pitches

Is the World Cup really carbon neutral?

Football's World Cup organisers have claimed that the tournament will be environmentally friendly and carbon neutral. However, some climatologists are expressing doubts over those claims.

World • 17 Nov 22

Some Captains have vowed to wear a 'One Love' rainbow armband during the World Cup as part of an anti-discrimination initiative in support of the LGBTQ+ community

Footballers call for decriminalisation of homosexuality

The head of the professional football players' union, Stephen McGuinness, has said that the legacy of the World Cup in Qatar should be the decriminalisation of homosexuality in that country.

World • 16 Nov 22

Lusail Stadium, the 80,000-capacity venue that will host this year's World Cup final, on the outskirts of Qatar's capital Doha

World Cup: Rights groups demand worker compensation

With the World Cup just days away, the spotlight is shining on Qatar, the controversial hosts of the tournament.

World • 15 Nov 22

There are 6,000 air-conditioned, six-metre-long container cabins in the fan village near Doha

Qatar unveils $200 a night containers for football fans

Qatar World Cup organisers said that there are still thousands of rooms available for the tournament despite fears that the tiny Gulf state would be overflowing with fans when the tournament starts this month.

World • 09 Nov 22

Officials did not say where the trophies were found, nor whether suspects had been detained (Image: Qatar Interior Ministry)

Fake World Cup trophies seized in Qatar

Authorities in Qatar have said they have seized 144 counterfeit World Cup trophies, the latest raid on fakes hitting the market ahead of the football tournament that starts later this month.

World • 02 Nov 22

The World Cup kicks off in less than three weeks' time

Qatar rejects calls for worker compensation fund

Qatar has rejected calls for a compensation fund for migrant workers killed or injured during World Cup preparations.

World • 02 Nov 22

File image of construction work before the 2022 Qatar World Cup

Workers evicted in Qatar's capital ahead of World Cup

Qatar has emptied apartment blocks housing thousands of foreign workers in the centre of the capital Doha where visiting football fans will stay during the World Cup, workers who were evicted from their homes told Reuters.

World • 29 Oct 22

Santiago Sanchez Cogedor left his hometown near Madrid in January (File pic)

Iran arrests football fan walking to Qatar: family

A Spanish football fan who set out to walk to Qatar to watch the World Cup has been arrested in Iran, his mother said after he dropped out of contact for several weeks.

World • 28 Oct 22

Santiago Sanchez set off for the World Cup in January

Spanish fan walking to Qatar World Cup missing in Iran

A 41-year-old Spanish soccer fan who set out to walk to Qatar to attend the World Cup in November has gone missing in Iran, where unrest has erupted in the past few weeks, Spain's foreign ministry has confirmed.

World • 26 Oct 22

People walk past a World Cup countdown clock in the Qatari capital Doha

Amnesty in bid for compensation fund for Qatar workers

Amnesty International is calling for a €446m compensation fund for workers to be set up after the 2022 World Cup is held in Qatar.

World • 23 Oct 22

Focus on working conditions of migrant workers building infrastructure for World Cup in Qatar

FAI urged to publicly support migrant workers in Qatar

The Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland has called on the FAI to publicly come out in support of the human rights of migrant workers in Qatar.

Ireland • 30 Mar 21

World Cup 2022